Fastener-Stick Dispenser For Field Use, and Method of Providing Same

ABSTRACT

A fastener-stick dispenser for dispensing sticks of fasteners, such as staples, nails, and screws. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a body defining a fastener-stick receptacle that receives a plurality of the fastener sticks. The dispenser also includes a dispensing port through which fastener sticks are dispensed one or more at a time by a user. The dispenser may also include one or more securing device for securing the dispenser to a user so that the user can carry the dispenser in a hands-free manner. A method of providing a fastener-stick dispenser is also disclosed. The method includes providing a fastener stick dispenser and providing various instructions for its use.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 61/740,591, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, and titled“FASTENER STICK DISPENSER FOR FIELD USE”, which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of hand tools. Inparticular, the present invention is directed to a fastener-stickdispenser for field use, and method of providing same.

BACKGROUND

In contemporary construction, numerous construction components arefastened to support members using staples and nails dispensed from toolsthat utilize fastener “sticks” composed of a plurality of fastenerslightly glued or otherwise secured together for convenient handling andloading by workers. For example, sheet products such as plastic, housewrap, tar paper, etc., are fastened to support members, for example,sheet members (e.g., plywood, particleboard, etc.) and framing members,such as wood studs. Typically, these products are secured with “slapstaplers” that insert a relatively small staple through the sheet andinto a supporting member. Fastening sheet products in this manner is aquick and common process. Staples for slap staplers typically come instick form as noted above, and the sticks are sold in cardboard boxes ofmultiple sticks. At a construction site, when a worker needs to load aslap stapler, he/she takes a stick from the box and inserts it into thestapler. Very often, these boxes become broken or wet as they undergothe jostling and crushing inherent in construction conditions. Once theboxes have failed, the sticks of staples often become unusable, becausethey break into tiny sections that are too time consuming to load intothe stapler. A result is wasted money.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspectsof one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should beunderstood that the present invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of a fastener-stick dispenser madein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a prepackaged box of fastener sticks,here staple sticks, suitable for use with a fastener-stick dispensermade in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a fastener-stick dispenser illustratingan exemplary location of a dispensing port of a fastener-stick dispensermade in accordance with the present invention, showing fastener sticksall contained in the fastener-stick receptacle;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B ofFIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is an exploded isometric view of a top-loading fastener-stickdispenser having a top dispensing port and a top dispensing-portclosure;

FIG. 4B is an isometric view of a bottom-loading fastener-stickdispenser having a top dispensing port and a bottom dispensing-portclosure;

FIG. 4C is an exploded isometric view of a side-loading fastener-stickdispenser having a top dispensing port and side dispensing-port closure;

FIG. 4D is an exploded isometric view of a split-body fastener-stickdispenser having a top dispensing port and a two-part housing;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a fastener-stick dispenser having apivotable securing device that allows the body of the dispenser to bepivoting during use;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of components of a particularinstantiation of a fastener-stick dispenser along with a box of staplesticks;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the fastener-stick dispenser of FIG.6, showing the box of staples inserted into the main housing of thedispenser;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the fastener-stick dispenser of FIG.6, showing the dispensing-port closure in an open position;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the fastener-stick dispenser of FIG.6, showing the dispensing-port closure in a closed position;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the fastener-stick dispenser of FIG. 6,showing the belt receiver;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another instantiation of afastener-stick dispenser, showing a box of fasteners being loaded intothe fastener-stick receptacle;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the fastener-stick dispenser ofFIG. 11, showing the body of the dispenser in an inverted orientation;

FIG. 13 is front/side perspective view of the fastener-stick dispenserof FIG. 11, showing the body of the dispenser in a dispensingorientation and a fastener stick being dispensed;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the fastener-stick dispenser ofFIG. 11, showing the dispensing-port closure in a closed position; and

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of providing afastener-stick dispenser in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a dispenser fordispensing sticks of fasteners, such as staples or nails. FIG. 1 depictsa fastener-stick dispenser 100 made in accordance with the presentinvention from a functional perspective. In other words, fastener-stickdispenser 100 of FIG. 1 should not be interpreted as depicting anyparticular physical form of a fastener-stick dispenser. In contrast, thefollowing FIGS. 6-14 depict several physical instantiations offastener-stick dispensers made in accordance with the present inventionand including the functionalities depicted in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, as seen in FIG. 1,fastener-stick dispenser 100 includes a body 104 defining afastener-stick receptacle 108 for receiving a bundle 112 of fastenersticks (not individually depicted in FIG. 1). In the context of thisdisclosure and the claims appended hereto, “bundle” should not be takento require that the sticks be tied or otherwise held together in formingthe bundle, though in some cases, this may be the case. Rather, “bundle”should be construed as a discrete grouping of a plurality of individualfastener sticks. In some embodiments, fastener-stick receptacle 108 isdesigned and configured to receive a prepackaged box of fastener sticks,FIG. 2 illustrates a prepackaged box 200 of fastener sticks, in thiscase, sticks 204 of staples 208, such as staples for a slap stapler(e.g., of the sort used for installing roofing felt, building wrap,etc.) or staple gun. It is noted that only a couple of sticks 204 and acouple of staples 208 are labeled for convenience. In this example,fastener sticks 204 are bundled and held by a prepackaging box 212having a pair of opposing end portions 216 and 220. In this connection,a “prepackaging box,” such as prepackaging box 212 is a container inwhich fastener sticks, such as fastener sticks 204, are shipped andsold.

In one example of using prepackaged box 200 with fastener-stickdispenser 100 of FIG. 1, a user would simply open one end of the box,such as end portion 216, or suitable portion thereof, prior to insertingthe box into the fastener-stick receptacle. In some cases, the user mayleave one edge of end portion 216 attached to a side of prepackaging box212, such as edge 224 attached to side 228, and fold the end portionover to that side. In other cases, the user may completely remove theentire end portion, such as end portion 216. In yet other cases, the endportion may include two or more flaps, and the user may fold and/orremove one or more of the flaps to allow fastener-stick dispenser tofunction properly, as described below. Referring again to FIG. 1,configuring fastener-stick receptacle 108 to receive an entire box offastener sticks has an advantage of not requiring the user to handle thesticks during loading of the fastener-stick receptacle. In otherembodiments, however, fastener-stick receptacle 108 can, for example, bedesigned and configured to receive the contents of a full box of stickswithout the box, to receive only a portion of the contents of a full boxof sticks, or to receive the contents of multiple boxes of sticks. Ineach case, the grouping of such fastener sticks within fastener-stickreceptacle, despite the absence of a box or other holding device orstructure, are considered to be bundled together for the purpose of thisdisclosure and set of appended claims.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, body 104 of fastener-stickdispenser 100 includes a dispensing port 116 for allowing one or more ofthe fastener sticks to be dispensed from fastener-stick receptacle 108along a dispensing direction 120 that is parallel to the longitudinalaxes of the individual fastener sticks, one such longitudinal axis 124being shown in FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 3A, fastener-stick receptacle108 may have a rectangular transverse cross-section shaped to receive acorresponding prepackaged box of fastener sticks and/or a generallyrectangular bundle of fastener sticks, here staple sticks in nestedpairs 300(1) to 300(9), dispensing port 116 may be located at one end304 of fastener-stick receptacle 108 and at one of the corners, here,corner 308 of the rectangular shape. During dispensing and as describedin more detail below, corner 308 having dispensing port 116 (or,“dispensing corner”) is generally located at the lowest point during thedispensing operation, and, therefore, the fastener sticks settle so thatany of the sticks remaining in fastener-stick receptacle 108 tend tosettle in that corner so as to be available at the dispensing port fordispensing. Generally, dispensing port 116 is made to be slightly largerthan a fastener stick or, as shown in FIG. 3A in the case of each pair300(1) to 300(9) of nested staple sticks, a pair of the nested fastenersticks, so that any adjacent fastener sticks (or pairs) adjacent to thestick(s) being dispensed are retained in fastener-stick receptacle 108.

As illustrated particularly in FIG. 3B, typically one edge 312 ofdispensing port 116 is flush or nearly flush with dispensing corner 308of fastener-stick receptacle 108 so that the sticks or pairs, here,pairs 300(1) to 300(9) being dispensed through the dispensing port havelittle or no interference to sliding along the dispensing corner throughthe dispensing port. Depending on the configuration of fastener-stickdispenser 100, dispensing port 116 can be located, for example, in anend wall 316 that is continuous with the sidewalls 320 or otherwisefixedly secured thereto (e.g., when the dispenser is a “bottom-loading”dispenser, a “side-loading” dispenser, or a “pull-apart” dispenser) orin a closure that is removably attached to, and therefore separate from,sidewall 320, as illustrated by optional separation line 324 (e.g., whenthe dispenser is a “top-loading” dispenser). While the terms “bottomloading” and “top loading” should be self-evident, an example of a“pull-apart” dispenser is a dispenser having two parts, a “bottom” partreceiving a box of fastener sticks such that the upper half of the boxextends out of the half, and a “top” part covering the upper half of thebox and securable to the bottom part. FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate variousconfigurations of body 104 to suit various ways of loading fastenersticks into fastener-stick receptacle 108.

Referring to FIG. 4A, in this embodiment fastener-stick dispenser 100has a two-part body 104 that includes a five-sided main housing 400substantially defining fastener-stick receptacle 108. Main housing 400has a top opening 404, and a top closure 408 is secured to the mainhousing to close the top opening. Top closure 408 is (re)movably securedto main housing 400 to allow for easy loading of fastener-stickreceptacle 108 along dispensing direction 120. Top closure 408 may becompletely removable from main housing 400 for fastener-stick loadingand unloading operations, for example, in the manner of a removable capas shown, or may be movable relative to the main housing but remainattached thereto at all times, such as by a hinge (not shown) or slidingengagement, among others. In this example, dispensing port 116 is partof top closure 408, but it could be at the opposite end of dispenser100.

FIG. 4B also illustrates an embodiment of fastener-stick dispenser 100having a two-part body 104 that includes a five-sided main housing 420like the embodiment of FIG. 4A. However, instead of having a top opening404 and a top closure 408, the embodiment of FIG. 4B has a bottomopening 424 and a bottom closure 428 that allow for the installation offastener sticks into fastener-stick receptacle 108. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4B, dispensing port 116 and dispensing-port closure 128 are in atop endwall 432 of main housing 420. All other aspects of the embodimentof FIG. 4B can be the same as or similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4A.As shown in FIG. 4B, bottom closure 426 is movably attached to mainhousing 420 via a hinge 436.

FIG. 4C illustrates an embodiment of fastener-stick dispenser 100 thatalso has a two-part body 104 that includes a five-sided main housing 440and a side closure 444 that allows for loading of fastener sticks, suchas bundle 112, into fastener-stick receptacle 108 in a directionperpendicular to dispensing direction 120. It is noted that side closure444 can be located on any side of main housing 440, including the sidethat includes securing device(s) 132. As with other embodiments,fastener-stick dispensing port 116 is located on an end 448 of dispenser100. Side closure 444 may be completely removable from main housing 440for fastener-stick loading and unloading operations, for example, in themanner of a removable cap, or may be movable relative to the mainhousing but remain attached thereto at all times, such as by a hinge(not shown) or sliding engagement (not shown), among others.

FIG. 4D illustrates an embodiment of fastener-stick dispenser 100 havinga two part body 104, but instead of there being a “main” housing as inthe embodiments of FIGS. 4A to 4C, in the embodiment of FIG. 4D the bodyis split into two generally similar parts, here an upper part 460 and alower part 464. When coupled together, upper and lower parts 460, 464define fastener-stick receptacle 108. One or the other, or perhaps evenboth, of upper and lower parts 460, 464 can be provided with acorresponding dispensing port 116. Similar to other embodimentsdescribed herein, upper and lower parts 460, 464 can be completelyseparable or secured together in a manner, such as via a hinge (notshown), that allows a user to load fastener sticks into fastener-stickreceptacle 108. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D are merely exemplary and thatother configurations of body 104 are possible.

Referring again to FIG. 1, fastener-stick dispenser 100 further includesa dispensing-port closure 128 that allows a user to open and closedispensing port 116 for dispensing fastener sticks contained infastener-stick receptacle 108. Dispensing port closure 128 can be of anysuitable type, such as a hinged closure that pivots toward and away fromthe dispensing port in a direction generally parallel to dispensingdirection 120 or a sliding closure (e.g., pivoting or linear) that auser moves in a direction perpendicular to the dispensing direction toopen and close the dispensing port, among others. In some embodiments,the dispensing-port closure 128 is provided with one or more features(e.g., fixed knob(s), handle(s), tab(s), overhang(s), etc.) and/ormechanism (e.g., lever, dial, knurled wheel, etc.) that makes it easyfor a user wearing construction gloves to readily open and close thedispensing-port closure. Some exemplary physical instantiations ofdispensing-port closure 128 are illustrated in the embodiments shown inFIGS. 6 to 14. However, those skilled in the art will readily understandthe wide variety of closures and/or appurtenances thereto that can beused for and/or with dispensing-port closure 128.

Referring still to FIG. 1, fastener-stick dispenser 100 may also includeone or more securing devices 132 for securing the dispenser to a user oran article of clothing or accessory worn by the user. Examples ofsecuring devices include, but are not limited to, belt loops, belthooks, belts, straps, lanyards, and hooks, among others. Depending onsecuring device(s) 132 used, body 104 can be made to be pivotable orswivelable relative to the user so as to allow the user to pivotfastener-stick dispenser 100 as needed to alternatingly into and out ofa dispensing position. For example, in some embodiments, fastener-stickdispenser 100 may have an upright stowed position in which dispensingport 116 is located generally at the highest part of the dispenser.Correspondingly, fastener dispenser 100 may also have a dispensingposition in which dispensing port 116 is located generally at the lowestpart of the dispenser. If securing device 132 includes, for example, abelt loop or other structure that secures fastener-stick dispenser 100to a belt (not shown) of the user such that the belt loop stays fixed,body 104 may be pivotable relative to the belt and belt loop so as toallow the body to pivot relative to the belt loop so that the user canpivot the dispenser between the stowed and dispensing positions. This isillustrated in FIG. 5 that illustrates a version of fastener-stickdispenser 100 in which securing device 132 (which is on the back side ofthe dispenser in FIG. 5) is configured to allow the user (not shown) topivot body 104 from a non-dispensing position, such as the uprightposition 500 shown, to a dispensing position 504, here with a dispensingcorner 508 being angled downward and with dispensing port 116 generallyat the lowest point of the dispenser. In this example, securing device132 includes a belt loop 512 that receives a work belt 516 worn by auser, not shown. In this disclosure and in the present claims, a “workbelt” is any belt worn by a user while using a fastener-stick dispenseraccording to the present invention, including, but not limited, to atrouser belt, tool belt, and a safety-harness belt. Those skilled in theart will readily understand the wide variety of structures that can beused to impart pivotability to body 104 relative to a user wearingfastener-stick dispenser 100, such as various hub and axle arrangements,ball-in-socket arrangements (such as a swivelable arrangement), amongmany others.

Each securing device 132 may optionally include one or morequick-connect features 136 that allow a user to disengage body 104 fromat least the portion of each securing device that attaches to the user,to an article of clothing of the user, or to an accessory worn by theuser. Such quick-connect feature(s) 136 allow(s) the user to keep theportion(s) of the securing-device(s) 132 secured to the user, tool-belt,or other article on the user while taking body 104 off, for example, forreloading, replacement, or swapping out for another receptacle portioncontaining different size and/or type fastener sticks. Examples ofquick-connect features suitable for any of quick-connect feature 136include, but are not limited to, spring-and-pin arrangements, latcharrangements, sliding interlock arrangements, snap-fit arrangements, andother mechanical interlock arrangements. Those skilled in the art willreadily understand the wide variety of quick-connect features that canbe used for each quick-connect feature 136, such that an exhaustive listneed not be provided to enable the present invention to a broad scope.

The foregoing and other features can be combined with one another invarious combinations to suit a particular embodiment and desiredapplication. Benefits of a fastener-stick dispenser of the presentdisclosure include, but are not limited to, the fact that the dispensercan be made in a manner that keeps the fastener sticks safe, intact, anddry. A dispenser of the present disclosure can be made of any one ormore suitable materials, such as plastic, metal, composite, etc.Following are several detailed examples of fastener-stick dispensersthat include various features, including the features described above.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate a first exemplary instantiation of afastener-stick dispenser 600 of the present disclosure. Dispenser 600includes a fastener-stick receptacle 604 for receiving, in this example,a prepackaged box of fastener sticks, here a box 608 of staple sticks612 (only a few labeled for convenience) of which one end has beenremoved to expose the staple sticks and to prepare the box for use withthe dispenser. Dispenser 600 may be referred to as a “top-loading”dispenser because each fastener-stick box is loaded into receptacle 604closed end 616 first. As described above, other embodiments can be ofanother loading type, such as a bottom-loading type in which a box isinserted into the receptacle with its open end (see open end 620) firstor a side-loading type in which a box is inserted into the receptacle ina lateral direction. Dispenser 600 includes an end-closure 624 thatcloses receptacle 604, for example, after box 608 has been loadedtherein. FIG. 6 illustrates end-closure 624 removed from a main housing628 of dispenser 600 that contains receptacle 604. A securing device,here a receiver 632 for receiving a belt, for securing dispenser 600 toa user. See also FIG. 10 for more detailed views of receiver 632.

Referring still to FIG. 6, and also to FIGS. 7 and 8, in this exampleend-closure 624 snap-fits to main housing 628. In other embodiments,end-closure 624 can be engaged with main housing 628 in any othersuitable manner (not shown), such as via a hinge or sliding-grooveengagement, among many others. Depending on how end-closure 624 isengaged with main housing 628, a latch or other securing means may beneeded to hold the end-closure in a closed position. Because thisembodiment of dispenser 600 is of the top-loading type, end-closure 624includes a dispensing port 636 through which staple sticks 612 aredispensed during dispensing operations. As noted above, the dimensionsof dispensing port 636 are customized to the size of the fastener sticksbeing dispensed, here staple sticks 612, so that only a set amount ofsticks are dispensed at a time. Here, because staple sticks 612 areboxed in a partially nested manner, nested pairs of sticks easily slidealong adjacent nested pairs of sticks such that a nested pair of sticksdispense together. As can be readily seen, dispensing port 636 islocated in one corner 640 of end-closure 624 and dispenser 600. Duringdispensing, dispenser 600 is typically oriented so that corner 640 is ator near the lowest point of the dispenser so that with gentle shaking ofthe dispenser, any remaining staple sticks 612 (or nested stick pairs)in fastener stick receptacle 604 (FIG. 6) tend to settle into thatcorner. This ensures that staple sticks 612 are available for dispensingthrough dispensing port 636.

In this embodiment, end-closure 624 also includes a dispensing-portclosure 644 that a user uses to open and close dispensing port 620. Inthe example shown, dispensing-port closure 644 is a laterally rotatableclosure that a user pivots in one direction to open dispensing port 636and in the other direction to close the dispensing port. FIG. 9 showsdispensing-port closure 644 in a closed position. Dispensing portclosure 644 include a knob 648 that allows the user to more readily moveit between its closed and open positions. As mentioned above,dispensing-port closure 644 can be of another type, such as a hingedtype that swings toward and away from dispensing port 636 or alongitudinally sliding closure, among others. In addition, in otherembodiments knob 648 can be replaced with any other suitablestructure(s), such as a finger-catch, dial, tab, etc., for helping theuser move dispensing-port closure 644 between its open and closedpositions, especially with gloved hands.

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate another top-loading fastener-stick dispenser 1100that, like dispenser 600 of FIG. 6, is designed and configured toreceive a prepackaged box 1104 (FIG. 11) of staple sticks 1108 (FIGS. 14and 15). Dispenser 1100 of FIGS. 11-15 is largely the same as dispenser600 of FIGS. 6-11, except that end-closure 1112 and dispensing-portclosure 1116 of dispenser 1100 are different. In dispenser 1100,end-closure 1112 is pivotably attached to a body portion 1120 of thedispenser via a hinge 1124 that allows a user to open and closefastener-stick receptacle 1128 for inserting and removing a box ofstaple sticks, such as box 1104. In this example, end-closure 1112 has asnap fit with body portion 1120 such that no other securing means areneeded. In the embodiment shown, dispensing-port closure 1116 ispivotably attached end-closure 1112 via a hinge (not shown) that allowsit to be pivoted relative to the end-closure in a plane that is oriented90° relative to the plane in which the dispensing-port closure ispivotable. As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, whenend-closure 1112 is pivoted, since dispensing-port closure 1116 issecured to the end-closure, the dispensing-port closure pivotstherewith. Dispensing port (barely seen in FIG. 11 at 1132) is inessentially the same overall location relative to dispenser 1100 asdispensing port 636 relative to dispenser 600 of FIGS. 6-11.

While dispenser 1100 is shown in FIGS. 11-14 with a fixed receiver 1136(securing device), in other embodiments the dispenser can be pivotablymounted, for example, to a securing device. This would allow a user topivot dispenser 1100 between an upright position, for example, for easeof loading, and a dispensing position in which corner 1140 is moved to alow point to facilitate dispensing by sliding of a staple stick pair inthat corner through dispensing port 1132. With such pivoting capability,dispenser can be used as follows. A worker can mount dispenser 1100 onhis/her work-belt in any chosen location. The worker can pivot dispenser1100 on its bracket so that hinged end-closure 1112 is at the top. The,the worker opens hinged end-closure 1112 and inserts, intofastener-stick receptacle 1128, an industry standard cardboard box 1104of staple sticks 1108 having all or a relevant portion of its top cutremoved to expose the ends of at least the staple sticks that will belocated at dispensing port 1132. The worker can then close hingedend-closure 1112 and pivot dispenser 1100 to any desired orientation.When ready for dispensing, the worker can pivot dispenser 1100 intowhatever attitude he/she chooses so that dispensing port 1132 ispointing, for example, about 45° downward and frontward. Dispenser 1100is now ready for dispensing. The worker can wear dispenser 1100 whetherit is being used or not. When the worker needs a staple stick, he/shecan lift dispensing-port closure 1116 and allow a pair of staple sticksto drop into his/her hand. This is a one-handed maneuver that mayrequire only a very small bit of practice to master. Once the worker hasthe needed staple sticks in hand, he can either close dispensing-portclosure 1116 or allow the closure to close on its own, for example, ifit is spring-loaded or otherwise is biased toward its closed position.In either of these manners, the closing of dispensing-port closure 1116will push any other sticks back into dispenser 1100 for laterdispensing.

FIG. 15 illustrates a method 1500 of providing a fastener-stickdispenser, such as fastener-dispenser 100 of FIG. 1, fastener-stickdispenser 600 of FIG. 6, or fastener-stick dispenser 1100 of FIG. 11,and any variant thereof, including the variants shown in FIGS. 3A to 5and described herein, and any combination thereof. At step 1505, thefastener-stick dispenser is provided. The providing of thefastener-stick dispenser at step 1505 may be in any suitable context,such as a sale or give-away promotion, among others. The fastener-stickdispenser provided at step 1605 may include: 1) a body defining afastener-stick receptacle designed and configured to receive a bundle offastener sticks; 2) a dispensing port designed, configured, and locatedfor controllably dispending ones of the fastener sticks in the bundlewhen the bundle is installed into the fastener-stick receptacle; 3) adispensing-port closure designed and configured to be actuated by a userto alternatingly open and close the dispensing port during a dispensingoperation; and 4) a securing device designed and configured for securingthe fastener-stick dispenser to the user.

At step 1510, instructions are provided for using the fastener-stickdispenser. The instructions provided at step 1510 may be provided in anysuitable manner, such as in print, picture, or video form, or anycombination thereof. The instructions may include instructionsinstructing a user how to load fastener sticks into the fastener-stickreceptacle of the fastener-stick dispenser and instructions instructingthe user how to dispense fastener sticks from the dispenser. As thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate, the instructions for loadingfastener sticks into the fastener-stick receptacle will vary dependingon a number of factors, including the type of fastener sticks, thenature of the bundling of the fastener sticks (e.g., via prepackaging,such as a box), and the configuration of the body of the dispenser. Anumber of variations of these factors are described above. As anexample, for a top-closure type fastener-stick dispenser designed andconfigured to receive a prepackaged box of fasteners, such as either offastener-stick dispensers 600 and 1100 of FIGS. 6 and 11, respectively,the instructions may include instructions on removing, folding, orotherwise moving out of the way a portion of the box of the fastenersticks, opening the fastener-stick receptacle, inserting the box intothe fastener-stick receptacle, and closing the fastener-stickreceptacle. Similarly, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat the instructions for instructing a user how to dispense fastenersticks from the fastener-stick dispenser will vary depending on avariety of factors, including the location of the dispensing port, theconfiguration of the dispensing-port closure, and how, if at all, thebody of the dispenser needs to be moved during dispensing and any otheroperations.

Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that whichis specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fastener-stick dispenser for dispensingfastener sticks, comprising: a body defining a fastener-stick receptacledesigned and configured to receive a plurality of fastener sticks; adispensing port designed, configured, and located for controllablydispensing ones of the plurality fastener sticks when the when theplurality of fastener sticks are installed into said fastener-stickreceptacle; a dispensing-port closure designed and configured to beactuated by a user so as to alternatingly open and close said dispensingport during a dispensing operation; and a securing device designed andconfigured for securing the fastener-stick dispenser to the user.
 2. Afastener-stick dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the plurality offastener sticks are bundled in a prepackaged container and saidfastener-stick receptacle is designed and configured to receive theprepackaged container.
 3. A fastener-stick dispenser according to claim2, wherein said body includes a receptacle closure designed andconfigured to provide access to said fastener-stick receptacle to allowloading the prepackaged container into said fastener-stick receptacle.4. A fastener-stick dispenser according to claim 3, wherein saiddispensing-port closure is located in said receptacle closure.
 5. Afastener-stick dispenser according to claim 3, further including adispensing direction, wherein said receptacle closure allows theplurality of fastener sticks to be loaded in a direction along saiddispensing direction.
 6. A fastener-stick dispenser according to claim3, further including a dispensing direction, wherein said receptacleclosure allows the plurality of fastener sticks to be loaded in adirection perpendicular to said dispensing direction.
 7. Afastener-stick dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said bodyincludes a receptacle closure designed and configured to provide accessto said fastener-stick receptacle to allow loading the plurality offastener sticks to said fastener-stick receptacle.
 8. A fastener-stickdispenser according to claim 3, wherein said dispensing-port closure islocated in said receptacle closure.
 9. A fastener-stick dispenseraccording to claim 3, further including a dispensing direction, whereinsaid receptacle closure allows the plurality of fastener sticks to beloaded in a direction along said dispensing direction.
 10. Afastener-stick dispenser according to claim 3, wherein said body has adispensing direction and said receptacle closure allows the plurality offastener sticks to be loaded in a direction perpendicular to saiddispensing direction.
 11. A fastener-stick dispenser according to claim1, further including a dispensing direction, wherein said fastener-stickreceptacle has first and second ends spaced apart along said dispensingdirection, wherein said first end has a corner and said dispensing portis located substantially at said corner.
 12. A fastener-stick dispenseraccording to claim 1, wherein said securing device includes abelt-engaging member designed and configured to engage a work belt. 13.A fastener-stick dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said securingdevice comprises: a first component designed and configured to engage awork belt; a second component attached to said body; and a quick-connectcoupling designed and configured to couple said first and secondcomponents with one another.
 14. A fastener-stick dispenser according toclaim 1, wherein said securing device is designed and configured toallow, when the user is wearing the fastener-stick dispenser, toreversibly pivot the body between a non-dispensing position and adispensing position.
 15. An assembly, comprising: a bundle of fastenersticks; and a fastener-stick dispenser that includes: a body defining afastener-stick receptacle conformally receiving said bundle of fastenersticks; a dispensing port designed, configured, and located forcontrollably dispensing ones of the fastener sticks in said bundlefastener sticks; a dispensing-port closure designed and configured to beactuated by a user so as to alternatingly open and close said dispensingport during a dispensing operation; and a securing device designed andconfigured for securing the fastener-stick dispenser to the user.
 16. Anassembly according to claim 15, wherein said bundle of fastener sticksis contained in a portion of prepackaged packaging in which said bundlewas sold.
 17. A fastener-stick dispenser according to claim 15, whereinsaid body has a dispensing direction and said fastener-stick receptaclehas first and second ends spaced apart along said dispensing direction,wherein said first end has a corner and said dispensing port is locatedsubstantially at said corner.
 18. A method of providing a fastener-stickdispenser for dispensing fastener sticks, comprising: providing thefastener-stick dispenser, wherein the fastener-stick dispenser includes:a body defining a fastener-stick receptacle designed and configured toreceive a bundle of the fastener sticks; a dispensing port designed,configured, and located for controllably dispensing ones of the bundleof fastener sticks when the when the bundle of fastener sticks isinstalled into the fastener-stick receptacle; a dispensing-port closuredesigned and configured to be actuated by a user so as to alternatinglyopen and close the dispensing port during a dispensing operation; and asecuring device designed and configured for securing the fastener-stickdispenser to the user; and providing a set of instructions for using thefastener-stick dispenser, wherein the set of instructions includes:instructions instructing the user to insert the bundle of fastenersticks into the fastener-stick receptacle; and instruction instructingthe user to dispense ones of the fastener sticks through the dispensingport.
 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the instructionsinstructing the user to insert the bundle of fastener sticks into thefastener-stick receptacle includes instructions instructing the user toremove an end of a prepackaging box containing the fastener sticks andthen to install the prepackaging box and the fastener sticks into thefastener-stick receptacle.
 20. A method according to claim 18, whereinsaid providing a set of instructions further includes providinginstructions instructing the user to secure the fastener-stick dispenserto a work belt using the securing device.